Yano sat in the unnaturally clean oak tree camp, looking up at the bright sunlight filtering through the surrounding mist, his eyes dazed and unfocused.
If he hadn't walked here step by step himself, he would have thought this wasn't deep in the swamp but rather some forest witch's meticulously maintained tree garden.
This scene was completely different from the dark nest he imagined, filled with flowing lava and pungent sulfur smells.
This was where the demon lived?
And the demon was actually a slime?
Two Poison-stinger Wasps fluttered their wings, buzzing as they descended from the oak tree, carrying leaf-woven cups filled with clear dew water, interrupting his thoughts.
Yano subconsciously took the leaf cup and said thank you.
Was this an illusion, or was he dreaming...
Even the terrifying Poison-stinger Wasps had become as obedient as fairies from fairy tales, knowing how to greet guests.
But the rough texture of the leaf in his palm, the uneven stone seat beneath him, and the fresh swamp scent... all constantly reminded him this was real.
Well, if a slime could become a demon, what couldn't he accept?
On the simple stone table, several Poison-stinger Wasps carried Moss Monsters and placed them on the broad leaves covering the table.
These insects seemed to be the lunch the demon had prepared for him.
But these moss-like little things looked more like a test from the demon, or some ritual to extract fear power, rather than actual lunch.
Or perhaps to satisfy some twisted amusement?
His gaze fell into the distance where the demon was inspecting the "offering" he brought, then shook its gel-like body as if nodding in satisfaction, about to bounce back.
To leave this place safely, he had to perform in a way that satisfied the demon.
Yano comforted himself internally - it was just swallowing a raw insect. Back when he was undergoing knight training in the deep mountains, he had eaten rat meat when starving.
As if making a final decision, he closed his eyes and brought the Moss Monster to his mouth.
First came the strange rough texture spreading throughout his mouth, then the Moss Monster burst open, its abundant juice flowing out to stimulate his taste buds, bringing the swamp's essence.
To be honest, this thing wasn't bad tasting. If roasted, it could probably serve as emergency wilderness food.
But this little thing looked too bizarre, making it psychologically difficult to accept.
Yano only managed to stuff one Moss Monster into his stomach through a mix of gagging and swallowing.
Over there, Chen Yu had just returned when he saw Yano boldly swallowing a Moss Monster raw.
He felt immediately surprised.
The humans in this world were more courageous than he thought, swallowing Moss Monsters raw without even blinking.
He remembered how he had hesitated for quite a while at the beginning, only trying to swallow a Moss Monster when he couldn't bear the hunger anymore, thus developing a recipe for slimes.
Adventurers here dealt with magical creatures daily, probably all being survival experts.
Eating a Moss Monster - crunchy and nutritious - was just part of their daily adventures.
He felt his understanding of this world's adventurers had deepened a bit more.
"How does it taste?"
Chen Yu approached, his curious voice echoing in Yano's mind.
Faced with this sudden voice, Yano forced a smile.
"It's... delicious."
"If it's delicious, then eat more."
"..."
To be honest, Yano inexplicably felt his palms itching, wanting to slap himself.
But with the slime staring at him, he could only force a smile, suppress his nausea, and stuff another Moss Monster into his mouth, swallowing it down.
Only when he saw the round slime before him show a satisfied expression did he slowly relax internally.
"Master... master... I..."
Master?
He didn't expect people from other worlds to like such strange titles too.
Was it some special preference?
"Just call me boss."
"From now on, you're the rider of this Smooth Wasp Route, understand?"
"Yes, boss!"
Even if he didn't understand, he had to pretend he did.
"Rider" sounded similar to knight - he guessed it was like titles given to followers of certain deities.
Compared to chuunibyou titles like Shadow's Touch or Light Saint... Yano actually preferred the "rider" title, as it reminded him of his difficult yet fulfilling days as a knight squire at the border.
It was during that time that his body developed petrification symptoms. Even though he achieved excellent results in later knight training, he was still advised to leave by the instructors and returned to the countryside.
Fortunately, he received a decent enough pension to sustain his life.
But when the precious grains and salt on the beast-drawn cart fell into the hands of those gray-scaled monsters, that money was completely lost.
Yano subconsciously looked at the roots of his right fingers - the petrification spots seemed to have become clearer again, making him feel worried inside.
"Are you worried about your illness?"
"Boss... can't my soul be exchanged for a healthy body?"
"It's not impossible, but it requires over a dozen treatment sessions."
"Treatment sessions?"
"Take off your clothes and lie down."
"Ah... take off... clothes?"
Starting so intensely right away.
Was some evil ritual about to be performed?
Yano steeled his heart, gritted his teeth and complied, taking off his upper garment and lying on the ground as if resigning to his fate.
"Come on, boss."
For Lola, for the children, he could endure even the most evil and painful rituals.
He didn't even care about death - his life was worthless anyway. As long as he could gather enough money for Lola and the others to live before dying, that would be enough.
When making deals with demons, he had long been prepared.
Chen Yu gurgled with bubbles - he always felt this human had misunderstood something.
"Prepare yourself mentally - this process will be a bit painful."
To prevent Yano from moving around, Chen Yu slowly released Hallucinogenic Factor, making him fall into a dazed state.
Only then did he control the poison stinger to pierce his back.
As expected, this first injection missed again. Fortunately, the anesthetic effect of the Hallucinogenic Factor was excellent - Yano didn't feel anything at all.
But he could sense needles piercing his back, finally understanding why his back had been burning with pain when he woke up last time.
Turns out it was all from needle pricks.
Chen Yu calmly pulled out the misaligned poison stinger and injected another one.
Fortunately, this one didn't miss.
As this strange ritual proceeded, Yano's consciousness gradually became more confused, seeing several dancing little figures before his eyes - all naked versions of himself.
In his dazed state, he could hear the demon's questions, asking his name, background... he couldn't muster any resistance and answered everything.
Until his consciousness completely fell into deep sleep.
After who knows how long, Yano suddenly opened his eyes and sat up from the ground.
Feeling the gradually returning pain in his back and his increasingly relaxed body, he realized his earlier experience wasn't a dream.
"Awake?"
"Before it gets dark, you should head back, unless you want to stay overnight here."
Stay overnight?
Spending the night in this dangerous swamp, with a demon nearby?
Yano immediately shuddered, his confused mind instantly clearing up.
"No, no, boss, I won't trouble you anymore."
He was originally hurrying to pack his things when two Poison-stinger Wasps carrying leaf-wrapped items with a fishy sweet scent landed before him.
"Poison-stinger Wasp Meat Paste?!"
"Is this for me, boss?"
"Yes, your delivery fee. I don't deduct employees' salaries."
"Remember to pick up your rider mission before heading back."
"Rider mission?"